New Director of Transportation

Posted on 01/04/2022

Shahid Abbas brings vast experience in a variety of government settings

The city of Glendale is pleased to welcome Shahid Abbas as the new Director of Transportation. In his role he will oversee all facets of the city’s transportation department, which includes Glendale’s airport and transit services as well as its pavement management program. He will direct the activities and staff involved with traffic engineering, street signage and striping, traffic signalization, transportation strategic planning and the city’s school education programs. He will be involved in developing recommendations regarding both the Transportation and Airport Master plans as well as the Transportation Department’s Capital Improvement plan. Mr. Abbas will also represent Glendale on various County and State Committees.

Abbas brings an over twenty-year track record of success in managing high-quality transportation programs in City, County, State and Federal governments settings. He brings experience working on projects which reflected the community vision and improved safety for residents. He is experienced with taking a collaborative approach to working with the community and elected bodies to identify issues, articulate challenges and opportunities as well as providing regular updates on progress toward achieving established goals.

“Shahid Abbas brings an impressive background in every area of transit and transportation and is fully prepared to help Glendale deliver on our significant investments in transportation infrastructure and services,” said Glendale City Manager Kevin Phelps. “He understands the direct connection between transportation and the quality of life of our residents in addition to how they are vital for our successful economic development efforts.”

Most recently, Abbas served as the Director of Public Works for the City of South Pasadena, CA where he provided leadership and overall management for a variety of City’s strategic priorities and programs, including transportation, traffic and streets’ programs. Prior to that he was the Manager of Transportation and Capital Improvement programs for the City of Sunnyvale, CA, where he collaborated with both the Google and Apple corporations on the review and
approval of construction plans for their main campuses. Before that, he was the Manager of Transportation and Environmental Services in Arlington County, VA. There he worked closely with multiple Federal Agencies on traffic and transportation-related projects. Abbas began his public service career as a Traffic and Transportation Engineer for the City of Kalamazoo, MI.

“Joining the Glendale team gives me the opportunity to use my diverse professional expertise, which I acquired from different parts of the country, to help Glendale provide the best possible transportation systems to its residents,” said Shahid Abbas. “Glendale is such a wonderful community with a bright future, and I am honored to serve and have an impact on those who call the City home.”

Abbas holds a Master’s Degree in Intelligent Transportation Systems and Traffic Engineering from Michigan State University, and a Master’s in Administration and Planning from University of Cranfield (Oxford), UK. He earned a Diploma in Street Maintenance, Rehabilitation and Applied Asset Management from the USA National Center for Pavement Preservation and Rehabilitation. He is certified by FEMA in “Advance ICS Command and General Staff and Complex Incidents Management.”

Shahid Abbas will join the city of Glendale on February 14, 2022.